I recently contributed to the absolute flowering of jazz in San Diego. Not "cool jazz" or "smooth jazz" or "lite (sic) jazz" but full-blooded, open-throated, wild and improvisational jazz performed in a one-year-old stunning world-class venue called Anthology. On India Street at the south end of Little Italy, Anthology is as transcendent as the music I heard from an amalgam of creative artists for the celebration of Mundell Lowe's birthday -- his 86th -- and still playing remarkable guitar (hear a sample below).

The party was engineered by San Diego's own jazz flutist Holly Hoffman and versatile guitarist Jaime Valle. They, along with local jazz pianist Mike Wofford, expressive bassist Rob Thorsen and muscular drummer Ramon Banda, spread an eloquent welcome mat for such internationally-known guitarists as Kenny Burrell, Ron Eschete and Russell Malone. In addition to being broadcast live on Jazz 88, the event was amazing in several ways:

• The ticket price was low
  
• The cuisine was luscious
  
• The emphasis was on non-stop music
  
• The gala ended in a heart-stopping jam
  

Now, in Portland where I'm from, this kind of evening is not unusual, nor in Chicago, New York or New Orleans. But never in my 18 years in San Diego have I encountered this magnificent quartet! Not to mention that the musicianship could be viewed closeup on tastefully placed screens and that the sound was the very best I have ever heard in any club or concert anywhere! And so I had to find out more ...

Anthology is the vision of a Chicagoan who came to San Diego in the '80s named Howard Berkson who says, " ... Going out for a great meal paired with live music was part of the cultural experience ... San Diego's ready for some of the visceral experiences you find in world-class cities ... " And so BCV Architects of San Francisco designed this 300-seat, 13,000 square-foot restaurant and club that extends vertically to three elegant levels including a mezzanine and VIP dining room. It's shimmery and shiny but also textured and sound-protected. I felt like I was in musical heaven!

Listen to Mundell Lowe's "Seven Steps to Heaven" below.
And check out Anthology's website and get on the email list: http://www.anthologysd.com

Played: 15 | Download | Duration: 00:03:25

Positively,
Carolan